Coding Specialist - Outpatient Telecommute

Summary:
Reports to the Coding Manager.  Reviews the outpatient clinical documentation of extract data and assign appropriate ICD-10-CM and CPT codes in accordance with the outpatient ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and the AHA HCPCS Coding Clinics.  Reviews the medical records to ensure the documentation supports the code assignment.   Utilizes 3M 360 Finder for code assignment and appropriate resolutions of claim edits (CCI NCD OCE etc.)  Confer with physician for clarification as needed.  Monitors outpatient uncoded report to ensure timely coding and billing process.  Maintains and meets HIS quality and productivity standards. 

Responsibilities:

Enters into a written Telecommuting Agreement with department management. The employee agrees to be accessible by telephone/e-mail within a reasonable time period during the agreed upon work schedule and to formally maintain timely and accurate work and rest period records and to submit such work hours weekly to department management in accordance with Lifespan�s system wide written �Telecommuting� policy. 

Enters coded/abstracted information into 3M 360 Finder assigning accurate APC and reviewing all coding edits appearing in 3M.   Understands and follows all National Correct Code Initiative Edits (NCCI) and follows pertinent medical necessity requirements. Resolves accounts on the claims edit database.  Assigns injections and infusion codes for observation patients.  Meets the minimum productivity standard mintaining an average accuracy rating of 95%.   

Assigns E/M ICD-10-CM CPT or chargemaster codes to clinic visits ensuring medical record documentation supports the code.  Should physicians have entered in diagnosis ICD or CPT codes ensures they are accurate and supported by documentation in the medical record. Utilizes 3M to identify and resolve NCCI edits before final billing.  Reports documentation insufficiencies to the responsible physician.  Follows Rhode Island Hospital Facility Coding Guidelines for adult patients and 1995 Evaluation and Management Guidelines for patients less than 18 years of age. 

Monitors and resolves rejected accounts on the Claims Edit Report and e Clinical Works error reports  by established timeframe researching coding conflicts including chargemaster medical necessity and various other coding and billing issues.  Refers complex coding issues to the coding validator or supervisor. 

Reviews pertinent outpatient uncoded reports researching and resolving old uncoded accounts and any accounts posted on report for which the charges are inappropriate.  Updates patient financial accounts in the Patient Management and Patient Accounting billing system as required.  Follows established procedures for rebilling accounts. 

Performs related clerical duties as required. 

Maintains level of knowledge and expertise pertinent to the position.  

Other information:

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:   

High school diploma or equivalent.  Successful completion of formal coding educational program.  Ability to read and understand outpatient clinic medical record documentation for reporting of outpatient clinic ancillary and endoscopies.  Coding certification required from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). 

EXPERIENCE:

One to two years experience in outpatient coding or billing.  Ability to meet and maintain established quality and productivity standards. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

After orientation at the hospital�s facilities work is performed at the employee�s residence in accordance with provisions of a telecommuting work agreement to which the employee has agreed as a condition of working in an off-campus location.  The hospital�s normal office and central work location environment applies for assignments meetings and other requirements as determined by department management.  Typically this type of work exists in a temperature controlled office environment and requires long periods of sitting to review medical records.  Visual acuity to read large amounts of data ability to use hands with finger dexterity to enter data on a computer keyboard and to bend and stoop to file records.  Ability to work under stressful conditions to maintain accounts receivable days achieving productivity and accuracy.  

INDEPENDENT ACTION:

Performs independently within the department�s policies and practices.  Refers specific complex problems tot he supervisor when clarification of the departmental policies and procedures are required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None

Lifespan is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin age ethnicity sexual orientation ancestry genetics gender identity or expression disability protected veteran or marital status.   Lifespan is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Location: Corporate Headquarters USA:RI:Providence

Work Type: Full Time

Shift: Shift 1

Union: Non-Union